Early voting legislation barely clears House

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — An effort to reduce by a week North
Carolina’s early voting period has barely cleared the House even
after the measure was changed to promote more voting at night and
on Saturdays.

The House voted 60-58 on Wednesday to shift the start of early
voting from the third Thursday before the election to the second
Thursday. The bill now goes to the Senate.

Supporters say the reduction would save taxpayer dollars and
save time that candidates must campaign at the polls. Democrats
complain the measure would discourage voting and voter
registration.

Six Republicans voted against the bill even after an amendment
was approved requiring counties to offer voting on weeknights as
late as 7 p.m. and on both Saturdays of the period.